Wage disputes can arise in almost any work environment, even productive and happy ones which operate smoothly and without incident. Employers sometimes may even be unaware that a violation has occurred, which makes it all the more important that you as an employee have a strong understanding of employment law and your right to fair wages for the work you engage in. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you are protected against an employer taking advantage of your good nature, lack of leverage, or ignorance of your rights to obtain unpaid labor from you. In many disputes, the issue can be quickly and amicably resolved in-house by simply taking the time to frankly and calmly address the problem with the HR department and make clear your expectations for compensation. Honest mistakes and errors are not entirely uncommon in payroll departments, and immediately assuming the worst can quickly lead to ill will between you and your superiors, possibly damaging your future prospects of … [Read more...] about Your Rights Regarding Wage Disputes
Kill ‘Em With Kindness: How to Ensure Awesome Customer Encounters
The task of contacting a customer service desk, particularly if there is a case of dissatisfaction involved, is usually considered an unpleasant one for many people. As a result, representatives at the other end must be capable of not only properly handling the problem to a full resolution, but also possess the necessary people skills to deal with a potentially angry customer. … [Read more...] about Kill ‘Em With Kindness: How to Ensure Awesome Customer Encounters
Work-Life Balance (& How To Achieve It)
Work-life balance is a phrase that we hear a lot these days. In times gone by, if you had a job, it was the most important thing and that was usually the end of the story. Although this may still be true for some people, these days a lot of people want to strike that balance so that their work isn’t all consuming. There is an old adage: "Nobody says on their deathbed 'I wish I had spent more time at the office'" So, how do we strike that all important work-life balance? Disconnect One big reason that work–life balance can be hard to achieve, is if we have an inability to switch off from work. Advances in technology makes our lives easier in a lot of ways but it can also make it easier to stay “plugged in” to our work which can lead to imbalance. It is worth making it a habit to disconnect from work, in whatever way you need to, including via technology. Boundaries You could create some empowering rules for yourself and turn off your work phone, laptop etc … [Read more...] about Work-Life Balance (& How To Achieve It)
Online Careers – They're Real, You Know!
You don't need me to tell you that the internet has brought changes to almost every aspect of life for the average western world civilian, and work and careers are no different. We have email, social networks, upload and download sites and more. The internet has made thousands of traditional jobs faster and in a lot of ways easier. We'll always need the mailman and the trucker to keep the world of work ticking, but so much can be done online in the 21st century that is revolutionising the world of work. One thing that we haven't seen a lot of since the internet became so accessible is an online career. Not something that just utilises the internet to good effect, something that can be almost 100% done online. No boss looking over your shoulder, no stale office smell, no drive to work, just flick up your laptop or start up your PC and you're effectively at work, you can even travel and justify it as working. For many people, this is the holy grail. Too good to be true, right? Well, for … [Read more...] about Online Careers – They're Real, You Know!
So You Wanna Be a Bartender?
Congratulations! You’ve just graduated college. Nights of crumpled Red Bull cans, twitchy eyes and library sleepovers have finally paid off with the ultimate prize of a shiny new liberal arts degree. When the celebratory parties and confetti parades finally die down, it’s time to step into the next exciting part of your artistic career: the service industry. Now don’t despair – it’s possible this might only be temporary. Your dreams of using models as pool floaties in the Hollywood Hills are still intact, just... displaced for the moment. Hold your head up, move through the seven stages of post-university despair, toss off that mortarboard, and tie up your apron. Some might consider it “beneath their degree”, but the service industry is a fantastic way to make money fast while you search for that higher calling. Los Angeles and New York aren’t cheap, and like it or not, you’ll need something to pay for rent and food while you network. Additional benefits include increased … [Read more...] about So You Wanna Be a Bartender?
Is Experience More Important Than Education?
As an employer, when we hire someone new it’s vital that we find someone who can get the job done. Whilst we of course understand that it takes time for someone to learn the job, often having some experience in a related field means that the candidate in question is much more likely to pick up the ropes at a faster pace compared to someone else. When comparing this with looking at someone’s education, we usually check their qualifications to see how well rounded someone might be. However, in the forefront of our minds is ‘how quick can said person pick the job up?’ Many job hunters get frustrated with the fact that employers often require a certain amount of experience, especially when they are fresh out of college and haven’t yet had the chance to work. It’s important to note that the word ‘experience’ doesn’t always mean several years in a similar job. ‘Experience’ could come down to plenty of things such as people working on side projects or volunteering on a part time basis. If … [Read more...] about Is Experience More Important Than Education?
The Art of Presenting: 5 Tips for the Perfect Interview Pitch
Presenting the perfect pitch can often be a daunting prospect, particularly if you’re making the presentation in an interview scenario. Luckily, many skills that are applicable to most business scenarios, such as the ability to present information in a concise and accessible manner, can be extrapolated to making a good interview presentation. Follow these five top tips to present a perfect pitch. 1 - The first rule of any good presentation is good preparation, and this is even more important in an interview, as you may not know in advance the constituents of your audience. The more familiar you are with your presentation, the more professional your pitch will appear. If possible, try to learn your pitch by heart rather than referring to notes, to encourage the impression that you really know your topic well. Make sure all your equipment and materials are ready, for example that you have a sufficient number of hand-outs, and that you know in which folder your presentation file is … [Read more...] about The Art of Presenting: 5 Tips for the Perfect Interview Pitch
5 Ways to Plead Your Case for a Telecommuting Policy
Telecommuting is now an accepted norm in many industries. However, some employers remain behind the times by declining requests from their workers to develop telecommuting policies. If you want to begin telecommuting but are afraid your employer will turn down the request, the following are five ways to plead your case. Claim Your History of Work Independence If you have an independent working style and have displayed this during your years of working for a company, claim this as a reason why your employer should let you telecommute. Independent workers are often best suited for telecommuting since they don’t need a manager’s guidance with every aspect of a work project. Of course, you’ll need to show solid proof that you’re an independent worker for management to take this claim seriously. Cite the Company Cost Benefits Often, employers don’t want to know why an employee stands to benefit from a telecommuting policy, they want to know how the company will benefit from the change. … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Plead Your Case for a Telecommuting Policy
What a Benefits Package Says About a Potential Employer
You’re on the job hunt, sending out applications, completing interviews and waiting to receive a job offer. While you’ll review many things when deciding whether a potential employer will be the right match for you, have you closely examined the company’s benefits package? The benefits that employers offer their workers vary widely from one company to the next. Some organizations only offer bare bones packages while others provide gym memberships, matches on 401K plans and more. There’s much to learn from reviewing benefits packages and the details you gather may just finalize the decision regarding whether or not you want to work for a potential employer. Review the Small Perks While benefits such as life insurance and health insurance are standard in most packages, look for smaller perks offered by potential employers. Some companies include benefits such as gym memberships or onsite daycare in their packages to enhance the working experiences of their … [Read more...] about What a Benefits Package Says About a Potential Employer
How to Hold a Meeting When There is Tension in the Office
In today’s face-paced work environment, conflicts between employees and employers are on the rise. Job stress from daily living can make its way into a person’s work life. While conflict might be a natural part of life, maintaining a positive work environment should be every employer’s goal. April was Workplace Conflict Awareness Month, and across the country, companies planned events to bring awareness to this important issue. The goal is to teach companies that attempting to avoid conflict is a waste of time and resources. Instead, the goal should be have a structure in place to manage and deal with any issues. Secondly, that structure should include tactics to transform conflict into creativity. But every month needs to draw attention to this issue. There are several steps one can take to deal with conflict in the workplace. First you must establish exactly who is involved in the conflict and whether or not the conflict is interfering with their work. Once you have discovered the … [Read more...] about How to Hold a Meeting When There is Tension in the Office